ALEX Lesson Plans

Title: Educreating: A Story of Your Own
Description:
This is a beginning lesson to use to introduce the skill of identifying main characters, the main setting, the theme of the story, as well as creativity. Collaboratively with the teacher, the students read Corduroy by Don Freeman. Students will create their own story utilizing a source of technology, Educreations, being able to state in the final production the main characters, the setting and the theme.
Standard(s): [ELA2013] (3) 35: Create engaging audio recordings of stories or poems that demonstrate fluid reading at an understandable pace; add visual displays when appropriate to emphasize or enhance certain facts or details. [SL.3.5]

Subject: English Language Arts (3) Title: Educreating: A Story of Your OwnDescription: This is a beginning lesson to use to introduce the skill of identifying main characters, the main setting, the theme of the story, as well as creativity. Collaboratively with the teacher, the students read Corduroy by Don Freeman. Students will create their own story utilizing a source of technology, Educreations, being able to state in the final production the main characters, the setting and the theme.

Title: Investigating the Weather
Description:
During this lesson, students will study, record, and predict weather. Students will work in groups to create a weather word wall, research and make a barometer, and create a video about weather. Students will also use the Internet to learn more about weather.
Standard(s): [ELA2013] (5) 29: Recall relevant information from experiences or gather relevant information from print and digital sources; summarize or paraphrase information in notes and finished work, and provide a list of sources. [W.5.8]

Subject: English Language Arts (3 - 5), or Mathematics (7), or Science (3), or Technology Education (3 - 5) Title: Investigating the WeatherDescription: During this lesson, students will study, record, and predict weather. Students will work in groups to create a weather word wall, research and make a barometer, and create a video about weather. Students will also use the Internet to learn more about weather.

Title: Kids Search In The Classroom
Description:
This is a technology-based lesson that will focus on using the Kids Search database in the Alabama Virtual Library. Students will work in teams to access information about animals. This lesson will allow students to research a particular animal and write a report on the information they collected.
Standard(s): [TC2] (3-5) 8: Collect information from a variety of digital sources.

Subject: English Language Arts (3), or Technology Education (3 - 5) Title: Kids Search In The ClassroomDescription: This is a technology-based lesson that will focus on using the Kids Search database in the Alabama Virtual Library. Students will work in teams to access information about animals. This lesson will allow students to research a particular animal and write a report on the information they collected.

Thinkfinity Lesson Plans

Title: Alaska Native Stories: Using Narrative to Introduce Expository Text
Description:
Tradition and technology come together in this lesson in which students learn about Alaskan animals through Native American tales and their own online research.
Standard(s): [ELA2013] (5) 35: Report on a topic or text or present an opinion, sequencing ideas logically and using appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details to support main ideas or themes; speak clearly at an understandable pace. [SL.5.4]

Title: Getting the Facts
Description:
In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from Illuminations, students participate in activities in which they focus on connections between mathematics and children's literature. They listen to the story Counting on Frank, by Rod Clement, and then solve problems involving estimation of volume.
Standard(s): [ELA2013] (5) 28: Conduct short research projects that use several sources to build knowledge through investigation of different aspects of a topic. [W.5.7]

Subject: Language Arts,MathematicsTitle: Getting the FactsDescription: In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from Illuminations, students participate in activities in which they focus on connections between mathematics and children's literature. They listen to the story Counting on Frank, by Rod Clement, and then solve problems involving estimation of volume.Thinkfinity Partner: IlluminationsGrade Span: 3,4,5

Title: Comics in the Classroom as an Introduction to Narrative Structure
Description:
This lesson uses comic strip frames to define plot and reinforce the structure that underlies a narrative. Students finish by writing their own original narratives.
Standard(s): [ELA2013] (5) 40: Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening. [L.5.3]

Title: Research Building Blocks: Skim, Scan, and Scroll
Description:
In this lesson from a research skills unit, students read informational text, looking for supporting details. They practice skimming and scanning print resources, and scrolling through electronic resources.
Standard(s): [ELA2013] (5) 36: Include multimedia components (e.g., graphics, sound) and visual displays in presentations when appropriate to enhance the development of main ideas or themes. [SL.5.5]

Subject: Language ArtsTitle: Research Building Blocks: Skim, Scan, and ScrollDescription: In this lesson from a research skills unit, students read informational text, looking for supporting details. They practice skimming and scanning print resources, and scrolling through electronic resources.Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThinkGrade Span: 3,4,5

Title: Blending Fiction and Nonfiction to Improve Comprehension and Writing Skills
Description:
Students use a text set to increase understanding of content area material and demonstrate what they have learned by writing an original piece that blends together narrative and expository elements.
Standard(s): [ELA2013] (5) 30: Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research. [W.5.9]

Title: Thundering Tall Tales: Using Read-Aloud as a Springboard to Writing
Description:
Imagination and application are key to this tall tale lesson in which students take what they know about tall tales to spin a yarn of their own.
Standard(s): [ELA2013] (5) 40: Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening. [L.5.3]

Title: Research Building Blocks: Notes, Quotes, and Fact Fragments
Description:
Students are guided through the process of taking notes while reading factual information, then turning those notes into new sentences and paragraphs written in their own words.
Standard(s): [ELA2013] (5) 43: Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases, including those that signal contrast, addition, and other logical relationships (e.g., however, although, nevertheless, similarly, moreover, in addition). [L.5.6]

Subject: Language ArtsTitle: Research Building Blocks: Notes, Quotes, and Fact FragmentsDescription: Students are guided through the process of taking notes while reading factual information, then turning those notes into new sentences and paragraphs written in their own words.Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThinkGrade Span: 3,4,5

Title: Guided Comprehension: Evaluating Using the Meeting of the Minds Technique
Description:
Based on the Guided Comprehension Model developed by Maureen McLaughlin and Mary Beth Allen, this lesson introduces students to the strategy of evaluating, using the Meeting of the Minds technique.
Standard(s): [ELA2013] (5) 19: By the end of the year, read and comprehend informational texts, including history/social studies, science, and technical texts, at the high end of the Grades 4-5 text complexity band independently and proficiently. [RI.5.10]

Title: Guided Comprehension: Knowing How Words Work Using Semantic Feature Analysis
Description:
Based on the Guided Comprehension Model developed by Maureen McLaughlin and Mary Beth Allen, this lesson introduces students to the comprehension strategy of knowing how words work.
Standard(s): [ELA2013] (6) 29: Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research. [W.6.9]

Title: Using Science Texts to Teach the Organizational Features of Nonfiction
Description:
Students explore organizational features of nonfiction science. Students then work together to create a two-page spread using those features to present information about their local environment.
Standard(s): [ELA2013] (5) 43: Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases, including those that signal contrast, addition, and other logical relationships (e.g., however, although, nevertheless, similarly, moreover, in addition). [L.5.6]

Subject: Language ArtsTitle: Using Science Texts to Teach the Organizational Features of NonfictionDescription: Students explore organizational features of nonfiction science. Students then work together to create a two-page spread using those features to present information about their local environment.Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThinkGrade Span: 3,4,5

Title: Exploring How Section Headings Support Understanding of Expository Texts
Description:
Nonfiction may be dull for some students, but this lesson helps them focus on the main ideas. Through awareness of section headings, students learn to sort and categorize main concepts.
Standard(s): [ELA2013] (5) 19: By the end of the year, read and comprehend informational texts, including history/social studies, science, and technical texts, at the high end of the Grades 4-5 text complexity band independently and proficiently. [RI.5.10]

Title: Wartime Poetry: Working With Similes
Description:
Students analyze a photograph, brainstorm words to describe the characters' senses and feelings, work in pairs to describe a character's experience, and create a poem using their ideas and similes.
Standard(s): [ELA2013] (5) 31: Write routinely over extended time frames, including time for research, reflection, and revision, and shorter time frames such as a single sitting or a day or two for a range of discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences. [W.5.10]

Subject: Language ArtsTitle: Wartime Poetry: Working With SimilesDescription: Students analyze a photograph, brainstorm words to describe the characters' senses and feelings, work in pairs to describe a character's experience, and create a poem using their ideas and similes.Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThinkGrade Span: 3,4,5

Title: Mapping Characters Across Book Series
Description:
Students work on a guided characterization project, using a graphic map to illustrate the ways a character from a book series grows and evolves over the course of the story.
Standard(s): [ELA2013] (5) 11: Determine two or more main ideas of a text and explain how they are supported by key details; summarize the text. [RI.5.2]

Subject: Language ArtsTitle: Mapping Characters Across Book SeriesDescription: Students work on a guided characterization project, using a graphic map to illustrate the ways a character from a book series grows and evolves over the course of the story.Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThinkGrade Span: 3,4,5

Title: Educreating and Recreating: A Setting In A Story
Digital Tool:
Educreations Web Address URL:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/educreations-interactive-whiteboard/id478617061?mt=8 Standard(s):
[ELA2013] (3) 35: Create engaging audio recordings of stories or poems that demonstrate fluid reading at an understandable pace; add visual displays when appropriate to emphasize or enhance certain facts or details. [SL.3.5]Digital Tool Description: Educreations allows you to create and record lessons for students to view independently. In addition, it provides students with a creative media they can use to prepare presentations for their teachers and peers.
It is easy to use, so it makes a great tool for assessing student knowledge. Students can create projects that apply to every level of Bloom's Taxonomy verbally and through illustrations.
This is a free application available on iPad and iPhone.

Title:Educreating and Recreating: A Setting In A StoryDigital Tool: EducreationsDigital Tool Description: Educreations allows you to create and record lessons for students to view independently. In addition, it provides students with a creative media they can use to prepare presentations for their teachers and peers.
It is easy to use, so it makes a great tool for assessing student knowledge. Students can create projects that apply to every level of Bloom's Taxonomy verbally and through illustrations.
This is a free application available on iPad and iPhone.

Web Resources

Assessments

Title: RHL School - Main Idea
Description:
Students are asked to pick out the main idea in paragraphs.
Standard(s): [ELA2013] (3) 11: Determine the main idea of a text; recount the key details and explain how they support the main idea. [RI.3.2]

Informational Materials

Title: Kids on the Net
Description:
An interactive website where children can read, write, and learn about writing.
Standard(s): [ELA2013] (3) 32: Determine the main ideas and supporting details of a text read aloud or information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally. [SL.3.2]

Interactives/Games

Title: Hungry for the Main Idea? The Hamburger Game
Description:
Students read sentences that form a short paragraph. Students select the main idea, which will become the meat in the hamburger.
Standard(s): [ELA2013] (7) 31: Analyze the main ideas and supporting details presented in diverse media and formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) and explain how the ideas clarify a topic, text, or issue under study. [SL.7.2]

Learning Activities

Title: Get to the Point - What's the Main Idea?
Description:
Students read several passages and select the main idea in each passage.
Standard(s): [ELA2013] (5) 11: Determine two or more main ideas of a text and explain how they are supported by key details; summarize the text. [RI.5.2]

Teacher Tools

Title: Online Reading Activities
Description:
Create your own virtual class for students in grades 1-12 that allows them to interact with fun & interactive reading activities that will improve reading comprehension.
Standard(s): [ELA2013] (12) 13: Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings; analyze how an author uses and refines the meaning of a key term or terms over the course of a text (e.g., how Madison defines faction in The Federalist No. 10). [RI.11-12.4]

Online Reading Activitieshttp://readtheory.or...
Create your own virtual class for students in grades 1-12 that allows them to interact with fun & interactive reading activities that will improve reading comprehension.

Thinkfinity Learning Activities

Title: Find favorite book picks in the Children's Choices.
Description:
Students create lists of their favorite books and then the class creates a '' Top Picks'' class booklist. Students can use the Book Cover Creator to create a book jacket for their favorite book.
Standard(s): [ELA2013] (8) 26: Conduct short research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question), drawing on several sources and generating additional related, focused questions that allow for multiple avenues of exploration. [W.8.7]

Subject: Language ArtsTitle: Find favorite book picks in the Children's Choices.Description: Students create lists of their favorite books and then the class creates a '' Top Picks'' class booklist. Students can use the Book Cover Creator to create a book jacket for their favorite book.Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThinkGrade Span: K,1,2,3,4,5,6

Title: Charles Lindbergh began his transatlantic flight in 1927.
Description:
Students consider what is meant by the phrase '' Human Hero,'' think of people who fit into the category, and read a biography of a selected hero.
Standard(s): [ELA2013] (8) 21: Write informative or explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content. [W.8.2]

Subject: Language ArtsTitle: Charles Lindbergh began his transatlantic flight in 1927.Description: Students consider what is meant by the phrase '' Human Hero,'' think of people who fit into the category, and read a biography of a selected hero.Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThinkGrade Span: 3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12

Title: John Chapman, better known as Johnny Appleseed, was born in 1775.
Description:
Students use the Timeline Tool to organize details about Chapman's life, the Venn Diagram to organize information, and the Shape Poems Interactive to create poems about apples or Johnny Appleseed.
Standard(s): [ELA2013] (5) 32: Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on Grade 5 topics and texts, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly. [SL.5.1]

Subject: Language ArtsTitle: John Chapman, better known as Johnny Appleseed, was born in 1775.Description: Students use the Timeline Tool to organize details about Chapman's life, the Venn Diagram to organize information, and the Shape Poems Interactive to create poems about apples or Johnny Appleseed.Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThinkGrade Span: 3,4,5,6,7,8

Title: November is National American Indian Heritage Month.
Description:
Students explore Native American heritage through the study of pourquoi tales, write their own original pourquoi tales, and use the ReadWriteThink Printing Press to publish them.
Standard(s): [ELA2013] (5) 41: Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on Grade 5 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies. [L.5.4]

Subject: Language ArtsTitle: November is National American Indian Heritage Month.Description: Students explore Native American heritage through the study of pourquoi tales, write their own original pourquoi tales, and use the ReadWriteThink Printing Press to publish them.Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThinkGrade Span: 3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12